WCC ChemLuminary Award History

2014 (for activity in 2013)Oustanding Program Aimed at Retaining Women in the Chemical EnterpriseWinner:• Puget Sound – Thirty five graduate students and post-doctoral scientists attended an overnight retreat aiming to equip attendees with professional negotiation and communication skills and to broaden attendees' networks. Sessions included a negotiations workshop, an academic poster session, two career panels and a keynote speaker.

2013 (for activity in 2012)Oustanding Program Aimed at Retaining Women in the Chemical EnterpriseWinner:• Virginia – A panel of women chemists featuring chemist and author Jeannette Brown encouraged students to interact with chemists who have followed diverse career paths and who were at different stages of their careers. Transportation was arranged for students from local universities and community colleges to attend.

2012 (for activity in 2011)Best WCC Program for International Year of Chemistry 2011Winner:• Chicago – The Chicago Local Section WCC developed the Marie S. Curie Girl Scout Chemistry Day Patch for the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana Council. The patch was given to girls that participated in activities that gave them an opportunity to learn about chemistry through lectures and laboratory, available careers in chemistry and how to interact with women chemist role models.

2011 (for activity in 2010)Outstanding Outreach to Girls in Elementary EducationWinner:• South Carolina – The GEMSS (Girls Emulating Maturity Strength and Scholarship) program at Claflin University teaches 50 girls in grades 3-8 to become leaders in science and math.The girls participate in workshops using UV-Vis spectrometers and X-ray fluorescence and also spent a week in Cape Canaveral to learn about robotics, Legos and chemistry.Finalists:• Nashville – The Nashville local section WCC held their 14th Expanding Your Horizons event with over 300 middle and high school girls in attendance. Project SEED scholars lead a Chemistry of Chocolate workshop for K‐6 teachers, demonstrations at the children's science museum, hands‐on activities for a middle school summer camp, and demos for preschool children. • Richland – The Richland local section WCC hosted a group of 25 elementary students weekly to explore chemistry and nutrition. Over 100 girls in grades 6-8 participated in the 9th annual “Girls in Science” program, which focused this year on a supposed alien attack and 35 middle school students attended the “Saturday Science” program.

2010 (for activity in 2009)Outstanding New/Innovative WCC Single EventWinner:• Georgia – The Georgia Local Section Women Chemists Committee celebrated 2009 with a theme of "Chemistry and Cooking". The WCC hosted section member Shirley Corriher, a biochemist and chef, to talk about her James Beard Award-Winning cookbook "BakeWise: The Hows and Whys of Successful Baking".Finalists:• California– The California Section Women Chemists Committee partnered with Iota Sigma Pi to host a tea and career panel on the UC Berkeley campus. About 30 people attended including undergraduate and graduate students, industrial scientists, faculty members and teachers, and scientists working in non-traditional roles.

• Greater Houston – The Greater Houston Section Women Chemists Committee partnered with the Iota Sigma Pi Neptunium Chapter and the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences for a tour of the Diamond Exhibit. The curator provided detailed information about the entire exhibit with attendees learning about diamond formation and mining. The highlight of the day was a showcase featuring special pieces from collections around the world.

2009 (for activity in 2008)Outstanding Overall WCCWinner:• Richland – The Richland Section continued in 2008 to uphold its outstanding record of outreach activities promoting the chemical sciences including 2 EYH, Chemistry Merit Badge events, and 2 Girls in Science programs. A new event, Science Saturday day, was also initiated this year for outreach to minority children.Finalists:• Michigan State – The Women in Chemistry group organized multiple events this year; including a Scout Chemistry Merit Badge Day and the Michigan Science Olympiad In celebration of 10 years, members organized a professional development workshop for women in the scientific community.• Nashville – The theme for 2008 was mentoring with speakers on mentoring in spring 2008 and participation in EYH events. The LSWCC organized the WCC luncheon at SERMACS 2008 with Madeleine Jacobs who was serenaded by the one and only Elvis! LSWCC also sponsored a symposium at SERMACS 2008.

2008(for activity in 2007)Outstanding Outreach to Girls and Young WomenWinner:• Nashville – Members of the local section participated in several events this year concentrating on outreach to girls and young women. The first was an invited visit to Eastman Chemicals where women chemists and engineers held a panel discussion talking about their career paths in chemistry. The WCC also participated in the 11th Expanding Your Horizons in Science and Mathematics Conference at MTSU presenting several chemistry workshops. Finally the Nashville WCC was invited to be a part of the new Girls Raised In Tennessee Science (GRITS) program directed by Dr. Judith Iriarte-Gross, which "Advances the knowledge and understanding of STEM education and opportunities for middle and high school girls throughout Tennessee."Finalists:• Georgia – Members of the local section helped with a Northwest Georgia Council Girl Scout Event held at Southern Polytechnic State University (SPSU) to celebrate National Chemistry Week engaging over 78 girls. The event used a CSI (crime scene investigation) format, and was entitled "The Case of the Kidnapped Cookies." The WCC demonstrated food science experiments and distributed NCW gift bags as well.• Richland – The sixth year of Girls in Science brought together over 100 girls in grades 6-8 in Northeastern Oregon. “The Real Haunted House: What is making people sick?” was the challenging question we posed to girls in attendance, crafted after the popular TV show House. This year there was also participation in two of the Expanding Your Horizons workshops for girls. Finally members of the WCC Richland also helped organize two Chemistry Merit Badge events.

Outstanding Overall WCCWinner:• Michigan State – The Women in Chemistry group organized multiple events this year; including four Meet the Speaker events and numerous outreach activities. They provided badge activities for both Girl and Boy Scouts, participated in the Girls Math/Science Conference (GMSC) held at a local high school, designed and monitored the Chemistry Laboratory event for the Michigan Science Olympiad held at Michigan State University, presented three hands-on demonstrations at Chemistry Day held at a local museum, and participated in the American Cancer Society Breast Cancer Walk.Finalists:• Nashville – Numerous activities of this active section included continuation of the “Women in Chemistry Month” to honor women in science, numerous outreach activities and ongoing participation in “Expanding Your Horizons.” Numerous volunteers were involved in all these events. The WCC alsopresented at the first service-learning class for EYH volunteers (group leaders) on the MTSU campus in order to provide the MTSU students who volunteer for EYH, with a background in the history of and on the challenges facing women in STEM.• Richland – The Richland Section hosted NORM ’07 and the local WCC organized a “Women in Chemistry” symposium that featured top speakers from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the national WCC Chair. The symposium was followed by a well-attended WCC networking luncheon, with the theme: "Sustainable Energy: You and your chemistry career". Other activities included participation in two of the Expanding Your Horizons workshops for girls, participation in the sixth year of Girls in Science program, and two Chemistry Merit Badge events.

Outstanding Single Event Promoting WomenWinner:• Indiana – The Indiana Section marked the national WCC 80th anniversary milestone with a networking and recognition brunch at the Indiana Historical Society. As part of this event, the WCC selected 7 'Women in the Lead' to receive a framed Outstanding Achievement Award in Chemistry certificate. These scientists and educators are doing great things for the chemistry profession and each has demonstrated dedication, scientific excellence, and leadership in different ways.Finalists:• Georgia – A WCC meeting was held at the Atlanta Wine School. Seventeen attended "Wine: An Ancient Art and A Modern Science." It was a fun-filled evening with wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres as well as an opportunity to learn more about the chemistry of wine.• Nashville – The Nashville WCC sponsored several students to attend the 11th anniversary of Expanding Your Horizons. The all day event included activities for girls and refreshments.

2007 (for activity in 2006)Outstanding Outreach to Girls and WomenWinners (tie):• Georgia – Members of the local section held two events with the local Girl Scouts engaging over 450 girls. The “case of the mystery skull” was solved using chemical tests. The WCC demonstrated food science experiments and distributed NCW gift bags as part of “Girls Stay Fit.”• Richland – The fifth year of Girls in Science brought together 109 girls in grades 6-8 in Northeastern Oregon. The daylong event theme was “Save Our Fish” and involved extensive outreach to Native American girls. Parents had a program on preparation for college while the girls were engaged in science activities.Finalist:• San Diego – In conjunction with ChemExpo, over 200 Girl Scouts participated in a variety of age appropriate badge activities. The activities were adapted to this year’s NCW theme and girls earned a NCW patch as well as the Girl Scout badges.

Outstanding Overall WCCWinner:• California – The California section WCC provided leadership for a networking event at the San Francisco National ACS meeting. Posters and snacks provided a great venue for local section WCCs to share ideas for programs. The WCC also organized a symposium and luncheon at the Western Regional Meeting. This very active group also held their usual four meetings a year.Finalists:• Michigan State – The Women in Chemistry group organized multiple events this year, including a luncheon at the regional ACS meeting and numerous outreach activities. They provided badge activities for both Girl and Boy Scouts and participated in the American Cancer Society Breast Cancer Walk.• Nashville – Numerous activities of this active section included a month to honor women in science, an event at the local science museum and ongoing participation in “Expanding Your Horizons.” Numerous volunteers were involved in all these events.Outstanding Single Event Promoting WomenWinner:• Georgia – In collaboration with Georgia Tech Women in Science, the Georgia WCC sponsored a negotiation workshop for forty-six graduate students and postdocs from five area universities. Facilitators directed the event which provided key skills in a topic of great interest and need to young professional women. Evaluations were very strong and the section plans to continue such activities.Finalists:• Indiana – As part of a strong resurgence of this section, WCC collaborated with AWIS and WILD (Women in Lilly Discovery) to hold a reception in conjunction with a presentation by former ACS President Helen Free.• Nashville – The Nashville WCC held a celebration in recognition of the 10th anniversary of Expanding Your Horizons. The all day event included activities for girls and refreshments.

2006 (for activity in 2005)Outstanding Advocacy on Behalf of Women in the Chemical SciencesWinner:• Richland – The fourth year of Girls in Science brought together 106 girls in grades 6-8 in Northeastern Oregon. The daylong event focused on the analysis of evidence and forensics to illustrate chemistry in a very tangible way.Finalists:• Georgia – Members organized two Saturday events with the local Girl Scouts. The “case of the mystery skull” was solved and chemical demonstrations were also used to demonstrate what women chemists do.• Nashville - Women in Chemistry month promoted the success of women in chemistry. Three outstanding women chemists were involved in a variety of events to showcase women and minorities in chemistry.

Outstanding Overall WCCWinners (tie):• Eastern New York – The section sponsored multiple activities to address professional development and community outreach. A new activity, “Why Plastics?” used sponsor support to provide science education through hands-on activities at local schools.• Michigan State – A series called “Things Every Scientist Should Know - Outside the Laboratory” involved the community along with local women chemists. Additional outreach events included work with 66 girls during Girl Scout patch day and strong participation in the Breast Cancer WalkFinalist:• Southern California – Activities at the high school, elementary and college level introduced chemistry to the community. Group sponsored events at the Sally Ride Science Festival involved several hundred students and their families in paint making and the chemistry of art.

Outstanding Single Event Promoting WomenWinner:• South Carolina - The section solicited funding and arranged for the placement of the ChemicalHeritage Foundation exhibit “Her Lab in Your Life: Women in Chemistry” at a two local public libraries. The exhibit was well publicized and attracted over 6000 teachers and students as well as thousands more of the general public.Finalists:• Midland – A book signing by Patricia Moore, author of “You Can Be a Chemist” attracted hundreds. Television coverage of the event and a related classroom visit demonstrated the creativity and excitement of science.• Saint Louis – ACS President Ann Nalley spoke at a reception held in connection with the opening of the Chemical Heritage Foundation exhibit “Her Lab in Your Life: Women in Chemistry”. The traveling exhibit was placed in a gallery at Washington University in St. Louis.

2005 (for activity in 2004)Outreach to Girls or Young WomenWinner:• Richland – Girls in Science was a daylong science event for approximately 100 girls in grades 6-8 in Northeastern Oregon. Hispanic and Native American students were targeted. The activities ranged from sunscreens to cigarette smoke and emphasized the NCW theme of Health and Wellness.Finalists:• Indiana-Kentucky – An overnight chemistry event for 80 young girls has become an annual event for the Indiana-Kentucky Border section. Girl Scout badges and a late night chemical demonstration show are the highlights of the event. The section has a waiting list for next year!• Michigan State – Michigan State participated in several outreach events for girls with an interest in chemistry in 2004. Events included the Girls Math/Science Conference at Okemos High School, a Scout Chemistry Merit Badge Day, and many NCW events.

Outstanding Overall WCCWinner:• Michigan State – Brown-bag lunch discussions on career topics were a focus of the seventh year of the women’s program at Michigan State. Outreach events included a National Chemistry Week activity at the Science Center in Lansing which included 2600 visitors!Finalists:• California – The California Section WCC held four membership events and three outreach events in 2004. A joint activity with the Girl Scouts called Girls Go Tech involved over 3000 girls. A highlight of the year was the summer social held at a working historic farm in Fremont, California.• Nashville – Women in Chemistry month was held in March by the Nashville Women Chemists Committee. In addition to a number of speakers, the group also assisted with the Expanding Your Horizons program through scholarships, supplies and activities.

Outstanding Single Event Promoting WomenWinner:• Dallas-Fort Worth – The WCC program at the Southwest Regional meeting in Fort Worth consisted of symposia and social events. The ACS PROGRESS road show on “Thriving in the Workplace” was particularly well received. Speakers at the various events included Bill Carroll, Helen Free and Madeleine Jacobs.Finalists:• Eastern New York – The Eastern New York WCC joined with Iota Sigma Pi on May 2004 to formally initiate a local ISP and to honor new inductees to the society. Susan Marine, the National Immediate Past-President of ISP joined Bill Carroll in making the presentations to 30 women inductees.• Puerto Rico – The Puerto Rico WCC arranged several activities in conjunction with the ACS Senior Technical Meeting, including social events, posters and symposia. There was excellent participation by industry and graduate students. The symposium on “Women in Chemistry” included speakers representing industry, government and academia.

2004 (for activity in 2003)Best Overall Local Section WCCWinner:• Michigan State University – Entering its exciting and active eighth year, the mission of the WCC was to provide a venue for interaction; activities that facilitate growth; network building and mentoring relationships; and to serve as role models for girls pursuing careers in chemistry. The ACS Women in Chemistry (ACSWiC) program at Michigan State University had an eventful and activity-packed year including workshops on such diverse topics as “Multi-National Perspectives on Education” and “How to Buy the Perfect Suit,” as well as Meet the Speaker events, and many outreach activitiesFinalists:• New York/North Jersey – The Metrowomen Chemists Committee continues to work closely with local sister organizations, MetroAWIS and WIS, to leverage opportunities for women in the chemical sciences, widen networking opportunities, and enhance career development.• Richland – The Richland Section expanded the Girl and Boy Scout Merit Badge and “Expanding Your Horizons” programs. They performed hands-on experiments and chemistry “magic” to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

Best Single Event in a Local Section Promoting Women in the Chemical SciencesWinner:• Pittsburgh –The Pittsburgh section’s evening event included networking, dinner, and a panel discussion titled “Non-traditional Careers and Transition Periods,” which attracted 63 participants, evenly split between chemical professionals and students from several colleges and universities. The panel discussed how a chemical education can launch a wide variety of careers, how choices affect careers, and how opportunities can be used to realize personal and professional goals.Finalists:• Mid-Hudson – The Girl Scout Badge Day was hosted by WCC as part of NCW activities, and 60 girl scouts (with 15 troop leaders present) earned their “Making it Matter” badge by exploring chemistry through several hands-on activities.• New York/North Jersey – At the 2003 Middle Atlantic Regional Meeting, MWCC sponsored “Women in Pharma” highlighting the diverse work in pharmaceuticals by women scientists, and hosted a luncheon featuring Shirley Tilghman, Princeton University President and noted biologist, as a guest speaker.

Most Innovative Recognition of Women in the Chemical SciencesWinner:• Richland – The Richland Section participated in, and made concerted efforts to acknowledge the world-class efforts of its membership at the Local, Regional, and National Levels.Finalist:• New York/North Jersey – In an effort to reach out to women scientists in all disciplines, the Metrowomen Chemists Committee (MWCC) formed alliances to help meet the needs and establish more networking opportunities for female scientists.

2003 (for activity in 2002)Best Overall Local Section WCCWinner:• California – The California Section WCC sponsored a Women’s History Month presentation by world-class chemist Elizabeth Blackburn at the University of California, San Diego. They also hosted a welcoming reception and provided two colloquium speakers for Iota Sigma Pi’s centennial celebration at UC-Berkeley.

Best Single Event in a Local Section Promoting Women in the Chemical SciencesWinner:• Pittsburgh – The Pittsburgh Section WCC Sponsored an event called “What Are You Waiting For: The Power Women Have and Don’t Often Use!” Dr. Judy Giordan presented a brilliantly constructed plan to foster networking opportunities and encourage the local scientific community to interact with peers and science students.

Most Innovative Recognition of Women in the Chemical SciencesWinner:• Indiana Section – The section celebrated the WCC 75th anniversary with a networking and recognition brunch at the Indiana Historical Society. Twelve scientists representing industry, academia and government were honored as “Women in the Lead’” to acknowledge the great things each had done for the chemistry profession.